LA 2028 Olympics CEO Stands Behind Controversial Chairman Despite Calls to Resign

The head of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics organization is defending Chairman Casey Wasserman amid growing pressure for him to step down. Wasserman faces scrutiny after his name appeared in recently released Justice Department documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.

The chief executive of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics organizing committee is firmly standing by his embattled chairman, despite mounting calls for the leader to resign following revelations in federal documents.

Reynold Hoover, CEO of LA28, expressed his complete confidence in Chairman Casey Wasserman during an interview Monday, marking his first public comments since Wasserman’s name surfaced in Justice Department files connected to Jeffrey Epstein released last month.

“The board has taken their position – they support him and I support him,” Hoover, a former three-star Army lieutenant general, stated following the conclusion of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

The controversy stems from flirtatious email communications between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted associate, that occurred over twenty years ago. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has publicly urged Wasserman to resign from his position.

Earlier in February, the LA28 board reinforced its backing of Wasserman after an independent legal review determined his previous connections to Maxwell and the deceased convicted sex offender Epstein were limited to what was already known publicly.

Hoover emphasized the organization’s impressive financial achievements as proof of effective leadership under the current structure.

“We’ve got a great leadership team here at LA28,” he declared. “Just look at the results.”

The privately-funded Olympic Games have already secured more than $2 billion in commercial sponsorship deals, according to Hoover, putting the organization at 80% of its $2.5 billion target with over two years remaining before the opening ceremonies.

Public enthusiasm for volunteering at the Games has also exceeded projections, he noted.

“We’ve exceeded all expectations, we’ve broken all Olympic records by any measure,” Hoover explained. “If that doesn’t give people confidence, I don’t know what will.”

According to Hoover, the Wasserman situation has not prompted discussions about leadership changes, disrupted daily operations, or raised concerns among current or prospective sponsors.

“I was at a meeting in Dallas with a potential sponsor – hopefully we’ll get them signed up – and it wasn’t even raised,” he revealed, noting that LA28 will soon unveil another major sponsor to join existing partners including Delta Air Lines, Honda, Google, Starbucks, Comcast, Intuit and Korn Ferry.

“No one is asking about it.”

Hoover, who began his role with LA28 nearly two years ago, described his relationship with Mayor Bass as “great, very close” and admitted he was “a little surprised” by her recent statement calling for Wasserman’s departure.

“Look, that’s her opinion. But she also said that the LA28 board has taken a position and is supporting Casey, so there’s nothing more to really be said on it,” he responded.

These comments represent the first official LA28 response since Wasserman issued a statement in late January expressing regret over his communications with Maxwell, which he said occurred “long before her horrific crimes came to light.”

Wasserman has maintained he never maintained personal or business ties with Epstein.

Los Angeles City Council member Monica Rodriguez has denounced the LA28 board’s support for Wasserman and recently proposed a resolution “reaffirming Los Angeles’ commitment to the core values of the Olympic movement, including excellence, respect and integrity in leadership.”

The 51-year-old Wasserman has dedicated more than ten years to bringing the Olympic Games back to Southern California, and Hoover stressed their commitment to organizing what he described as the largest and most spectacular Summer Games in Olympic history.

“This is going to be an incredible, incredible Games and people need to start focusing on that aspect of it, and let’s move on,” Hoover concluded.